Photography and Resistance: Anticolonialist Photography in the Americas

Photography is a political medium that connects to the embodied material world and is easily transmissible, says the book. It interprets works by African American, Indigenous American, Latinx, and Asian American photographers as acts of political activism in the contemporary idiom, placing photographic praxis at the crux of 21st-century crises of political equity and sociality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 235 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book makes a compelling argument that photography, due to its inherent connection to the physical world and its ease of transmission, operates as an implicitly political medium. It posits that the right to see is essential to the right to exist. By exploring the paradoxical relationships between photography as a medium and the conditions of political, social, and epistemological disappearance, the book interprets the works of African American, Indigenous American, Latinx, and Asian American photographers as acts of political activism in the contemporary context.

Placing photographic practice at the center of 21st-century crises of political equity and sociality, the book uncovers the discursive visual movements through which photography enacts reappearances, bringing to visibility erased and elided histories in the Americas. Artists discussed in depth include Shelley Niro, Carrie Mae Weems, Paula Luttringer, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Matika Wilbur, Martine Gutiérrez, Ana Mendieta, An-My Lê, and Rebecca Belmore.

Furthermore, the book reveals the American land as a contested site, an as-yet unrecognized battlefield. It sheds light on the ways in which photography can be used as a tool for resistance and empowerment, challenging dominant narratives and promoting a more inclusive and accurate representation of the diverse experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities.

In conclusion, this book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the political dimensions of photography, highlighting its potential to shape public discourse and promote social change. It is a valuable resource for artists, scholars, and anyone interested in the intersection of photography, politics, and identity.

Weight: 457g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030961572
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022